A neighborhood dispute in Stralsund, Germany, took a violent turn when a man was severely injured in an acid attack. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, has led to an attempted murder investigation.
(Source: Stefan Sauer/dpa)
A 34-year-old man suffered life-threatening injuries in Stralsund after being attacked with acid. The victim, who sustained extensive injuries to his body, was airlifted to a hospital in Lübeck. Police and the public prosecutor’s office are investigating the case as attempted murder.
The main suspect is a 42-year-old neighbor of the victim. According to initial findings, there had been an ongoing dispute between the two. The attack reportedly occurred suddenly and without warning around 2 am on Thursday morning.
“We believe it was a surprise attack at that moment,” said a spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office. The spokesperson cited treachery as a possible element of murder, noting that the attack did not occur during an active argument.
Special forces deployed to apprehend suspect
Following the attack, the alleged perpetrator barricaded himself. The “Nordkurier” reported that a Special Operations Command (SEK) team and the negotiation group of the State Criminal Police Office were called to the scene. At 10:30 am, the SEK overpowered the suspect in an apartment.
During the arrest, the suspect sustained facial injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Due to his injuries, he could not be brought before a magistrate on Thursday. A decision regarding his detention is expected to be announced by the responsible district court on Friday.
Investigation ongoing into motive and substance used
Initial suspicions suggest that the acid used in the attack was sulfuric acid, though this still needs to be confirmed by laboratory analysis, according to the public prosecutor’s office. The exact nature of the neighborhood dispute that led to this violent escalation is still under investigation.
The case has shocked the local community and highlighted the potential dangers of unresolved conflicts between neighbors. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events that led to this severe attack and ensure justice for the victim.
